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Hello and welcome to the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs website. We invite you to look through our web pages for information on benefits, services and programs. We, at WDVA, would like to thank you for your service to our country. We are committed to providing you with the information you need and invite you to e-mail or call if you or someone you know needs assistance.

The WDVA Way is to inspire each other and share information – you can do both by Sharing Your Sto...read more

The WDVA Way is to inspire each other and share information – you can do both by Sharing Your Story!

Date: April 28, 2016 Program/Location: Rural Veterans Coordination

Who did you help? Michael is a Vietnam veteran who served in the United States Navy. During his time in the Navy he served on the USS Mars.

How did you help them or how is their situation improved? Michael was diagnosed with type two diabetes. He first lost his toe; then due to an infection he lost his entire right leg and because of financial difficulties, was unable to purchase an electric wheel chair. With the help of a Korean War veteran, we have been able to gift him the electric wheel chair.

What makes this story noteworthy or different?

As soon as this veteran was discharged from the hospital, WestCare and the Veterans Opportunity Center, provided an electric scooter along with an easy access ramp for his vehicle.

What do you want people to know about your program? How can people apply for help?

As we enter the building we can observe a mix of Veterans seated in a well lite comfortable waiting area, a common sight occurring daily in clinics and service centers across our country. But, this scene offers a unique twist, this Veterans service clinic, launched through a collaboration with the WestCare Foundation, Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs and the Department of Correction, is in a prison. It ensures these inmates half of whom served in combat no longer represent our country’s most isolated Veterans.

Today, each is confident of access to professionals representing multiple disciplines from services officers to civil legal and behavioral health professionals. This Veterans clinic has another unique element essential to its successful operation and customer service focus, Edwin Corbett, a Vet Pod inmate and Marine who serves as the inaugural volunteer Clinic Coordinator

Edwin understood some of the challenges when striving to provide professional services in a prison setting and determined it would take a Marine to help put things right. He recognized that to earn the confidence of inmates appointments had to be coordinated with individual schedules as well as security requirements.

Edwin worked closely with the Tera McElravy, the Vet Pod Unit Supervisor and other DOC staff to develop operational protocols to support the clinic’s mission and commitment to providing consistent high quality customer services. Additionally, they created the position of Volunteer Clinic Coordinator with Edwin agreeing to serve as the first Coordinator.

The benefits of these changes were immediately felt as Edwin implemented the improvements. The monthly services clinic now runs efficiently, a direct result of the inmates taking increased ownership for the programs offered in the Vet Pod Unit. For the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs, WestCare Foundation and other partners committed to expanding our engagement with our country’s most isolated Veterans it offers a valuable lesson, include the inmates in the design and operation of the programs.

Edwin Corbet, a Veteran, observed a situation that required improvements to achieve its mission. He stepped up to the situation applying the same skills and competencies that make him a proud Marine. It is an important lesson to remember.

The staff and residents at Washington Veterans Home, Retsil would like to share with you the contributions of one volunteer you might never see around but is doing great things to improve the quality of life for our Veterans.

David M. Giffin, served in the US Coast Guard during Vietnam on the Coast Guard Cutter Androscoggin (WHEC-68). His primary duty was to serve on the helm during the high-lining operations. David started volunteering 4 years ago at the Veterans Home, taking residents to and from church on Sundays. Every time he visited he walked by the fish tank in the lower activity room and noticed that it could definitely use some love. David asked if he could volunteer to take care of the tank because he enjoys doing that. Now he provides hours of entertainment for residents who stop to relax and look at the tank. Every couple of months David changes the structures in the tank, creating a new and interesting environment for residents to look at.

David began enjoying fish tanks when he worked for the Tacoma School District as the chief custodian. There was a 150 gallon tank in the elementary school where he worked with turtles in it. The turtles laid eggs which were moved to a warm spot by the boiler so they would hatch. Every day the students would ask if the eggs hatched and when the time finally came, the tank was changed providing water and a sandy area so the turtles could hatch and go to the water. David says he loves working with fish tanks because the environment is a constant reminder of God’s work.

Jose Cepeda has been a volunteer at the Spokane Veterans Home since 2004. He was born and raised in Guam in a happy family of nine children. On Dec 8, 1941, Japanese forces bombed Guam. Two days later, Japanese captured Guam when Jose was only 9 years old. During this period Jose and his family moved to his uncle’ ranch. After Guam was overrun, the Japanese forces confiscated all forms of communications and vehicles. Everyone in Guam was forbidden to speak English and they were forced to learn Japanese. Along with learning Japanese, Jose remembers everyone going into force labor. Jose remembers going from the Japanese school to work in the farms clearing trees and rocks for the Japanese. It was hard and dangerous time for everyone involved. Guamanians had to be very careful with what they said because it affected families and their lives. The US liberated Guam in the summer on 1944. Everyone in the Japanese camps were taken into more secure US areas, while the US army continued to clear the Island of Japanese forces. Jose was 12 years old.

After the liberation of Guam, all the children repeated the grades they were in when the Japanese forces invaded Guam. Jose repeated the 3rd grade. He graduated in 1952 from Father Duenas Memorial High School and moved to New York to join a monastery. After one year he left the monastery and joined the Air Force. He was 21 years old. Jose was involved in the Korean and the Vietnam War. On Oct 30, 1973, Jose retired from the military. He subsequently worked for the US Postal Service for 22 years. During that time earned his degree from Eastern Washington University in General Studies. Jose received a black belt in Karate and in Tang Soo Do in 2002. Jose has ran Bloomsday since 2005 after his heart surgery. He has also hiked Diamond Head in Hawaii.

Jose has been married to Anna-Maria for 53 years. They met in Sembach Airforce Base in Germany. She was a civil service employee. They have 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren.

Jose has been a very active volunteer over the last 12 years. His main role at the Spokane Veterans Home has been helping with Bingo on Wednesdays. He has helped in many other capacities when called upon. Jose has recruited and involved his family member over the years to help with bigger programs. Jose has always, said “My first pair of shoes were Marine boots and I have always wanted to give back!”

Rafael Lozano, Service Center Program Manager, represented WDVA on a panel for the 11th Annual La...read more

Rafael Lozano, Service Center Program Manager, represented WDVA on a panel for the 11th Annual Latino Legislative Day at the Capitol Campus on February 22, 2016, speaking about veteran’s benefits and entitlements.

Rafael addressed a packed house of over 500, in both Spanish and English, and stayed throughout the day to answer questions and provide information about state and federal benefits available to veterans and their eligible family members.

Latino Legislative Day is an annual event where participants can participate in civic engagement policy sessions and speak to Legislators regarding issues that may impact Latino communities, such as: Economic Development, Labor, Civil Rights, and Education, Health Care, Small Business, Farm Worker rights, Immigration, Public Safety and Veteran Affairs.

Rafael Lozano, Service Center Program Manager, represented WDVA on a panel for the 11th Annual Latino Legislative Day at the Capitol Campus on February 22, 2016, speaking about veteran’s benefits and entitlements.

Rafael addressed a packed house of over 500, in both Spanish and English, and stayed throughout the day to answer questions and provide information about state and federal benefits available to veterans and their eligible family members.

Latino Legislative Day is an annual event where participants can participate in civic engagement policy sessions and speak to Legislators regarding issues that may impact Latino communities, such as: Economic Development, Labor, Civil Rights, and Education, Health Care, Small Business, Farm Worker rights, Immigration, Public Safety and Veteran Affairs.

The WDVA Way is to inspire each other and share information – you can do both by Sharing ...read more

The WDVA Way is to inspire each other and share information – you can do both by Sharing Your Story!

Date: _______2/10/2016_________________

Program/Location: _Rural Veterans Coordination Program_

Who did you help? (Ian) We helped Ian find his passion to return to college to become a teacher. He plans on attending Evergreen State College in the near future and wants to one day help fellow veterans heal through art.

How did you help them or how is their situation improved?

Ian was one of the first people to participate in our program by completing an intake for the RVCP in 2015. Since then he moved to San Francisco, CA. He recently returned to Centralia and contacted both Patrick Zandecki and myself. We were able to help him with some immediate needs and also work with him on his goal to return to college and get his teaching certificate.

What makes this story noteworthy or different? Ian served in the United States Navy and wants to help fellow veterans express themselves and heal through art.

What do you want people to know about your program? How can people apply for help?

We are working daily in Lewis, Franklin and Benton counties to address the needs of Rural Veterans. It’s making a huge difference in our communities and success stories are all around us. We have a lot more work to do to address major gaps including transportation issues, healthcare issues, telemedicine and housing for our rural veterans. Close to 30% of all veterans live in rural communities across this nation. It is great to know that everyday more attention is being placed on veterans living in these communities.

Is there anything you’d like the Veterans Community to do?

Spread the word about WestCare and WDVA Rural Veterans Coordination Pilot Program. If you know a veteran that needs help and lives in Lewis, Franklin or Benton counties contact Ryan Nabors at 360-725-2236.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Veterans are providing us with information on ways of making improvements to the federal VA. We take information and ensure that the Office of Rural Health knows how programs are impacting veterans in rural communities. I’d also like to recognize the outstanding work that the Office of Rural Health does on a daily basis as well as our partners with Lines4Life, West Care and WDVA. Our navigators both live and work in rural communities, they are also worthy of recognition for their commitment to the program.

The Federal VA Office of Survivors Assistance offers a variety of benefits and services to spouses, children, and parents of Servicemembers and Veterans who are deceased or totally and permanently disabled by a service-connected disability

WDVA and the Federal VA value your commitment as a partner in our pledge to care for those who have "borne the battle". There are several support and service options designed with you in mind. Many programs are available both in and out of your home to help you care for the Veteran you love and for yourself.

There are many resources available to assist you, but sometimes it’s hard to know which ones are right for you. That is where we can help. Give our benefits specialists a call or e-mail and let us help guide you through the benefits and help that you have earned.

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Disclaimer

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), including the State Veterans Homes, does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. WDVA complies with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act in its facilities, activities, programs and services. WDVA can provide auxiliary aids and services such as assistive listening devices, TDD/TTY and ASL/ESL interpreters, etc., at no charge for persons with disabilities.

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Mailing Address

Disclaimer

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), including the State Veterans Homes, does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. WDVA complies with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act in its facilities, activities, programs and services. WDVA can provide auxiliary aids and services such as assistive listening devices, TDD/TTY and ASL/ESL interpreters, etc., at no charge for persons with disabilities.